Opinion Editorials & Interviews

Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Citizens from Trafficking

William J. Burns, U.S. Ambassador to Russia

Izvestiya, February 06, 2006

Trafficking in persons is a serious problem that affects the most vulnerable members of society. Innocent Americans and Russians, especially young women and children, have been victims of trafficking. President Putin framed the problem aptly when he stated that "human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that entails the most brutal and cruel violations of human rights." Both the United States and Russia have taken steps to fight trafficking and raise public awareness of this problem. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation until this abhorrent crime no longer exists and welcome Russia's proposed new anti-trafficking legislation.

Over the past two years, Russia has amended its criminal code to prohibit trafficking and passed legislation to protect trafficking victims from retaliation by traffickers. Russian law enforcement authorities are pursuing cases of trafficking here and abroad, working with the United States and other countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes warnings to prevent young people from falling victim to the ploys by traffickers, who promise easy money and exciting employment abroad. The Ministry also assists trafficking victims with repatriation. This is real progress in a short time, but still more needs to be done to protect the innocent.

The Duma Working Group on Human Trafficking has helped to lead the way by drafting comprehensive new anti-trafficking legislation. This draft law would encourage closer cooperation between police and nongovernmental organizations, make victim assistance and shelter a priority, and create a centralized authority to coordinate efforts against trafficking. If passed, this law would significantly enhance Russia's ability to fight trafficking and make Russia a more dangerous place for traffickers. The Duma has sponsored open hearings across the country to discuss the draft law, and its sponsors hope it will be introduced for formal consideration by the entire Duma early this year. As the Duma Working Group has also underscored, foreign trafficking victims should be allowed to remain in Russia pending investigation and prosecution, so traffickers do not escape punishment.

The effects of human trafficking extend far beyond its victims. Trafficking represents a threat to the security of our nations because traffickers have links to transnational organized crime, arms and drug smuggling crime and trafficking encourages the spread of HIV/AIDS. Only by working together can governments -- with the support of ordinary Russians and Americans -- end this transnational criminal activity that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society.